Pope asks Bloggers to Give Internet a Soul

(24 Apr 10 – RV) The need to give the Internet a soul and humanize the dynamics of the digital world was at the heart of Pope Benedict XVI’s message Saturday to participants in a conference on modern means of mass communication.

Promoted by the Italian Bishops Conference, “Digital Witness” draws together experts in information technology, social networking, web journalism and blogging to focus on the language we use and the way we communicate as Christians in the online society.

Pope Benedict told participants that the task of every believer who works in media, is to ensure the “quality of human contact, guaranteeing attention to people and their spiritual needs”.

“This is increasingly urgent in today’s world”, he said, at a time when Internet appears to have a “basically egalitarian” vocation, but at the same time, “marks a new divide", the "digital divide" that "separates the included from the excluded."

"The dangers of homologation and control, of intellectual and moral relativism are also increasing, as already recognizable in the decline of critical spirit, in truth reduced to a game of opinions, in the many forms of degradation and humiliation of the intimacy of the person."

Thus said the Pope we see, a "spiritual pollution" that brings us to no longer "look one another in the face”. So we must “overcome those collective dynamics that risk reducing people to "soulless bodies, objects of exchange and consumption”. The media must become a “humanizing factor”, focused "on promoting the dignity of persons and peoples". Only then will "the epochal times we are experiencing be rich and fertile in new opportunities."

"Without fear we must set sail on the digital sea facing into the deep with the same passion that has governed the ship of the Church for two thousand years. Rather than for, albeit necessary, technical resources, we want to qualify ourselves by living in the digital world with a believer’s heart, helping to give a soul to the Internet’s incessant flow of communication".

Papa Benedict on Purity

I just found this wonderful quote from World Youth Day 2008:

"Authentic love is obviously something good. Without it, life would hardly be worth living. It fulfils our deepest need, and when we love, we become most fully ourselves, most fully human. But how easily it can be made into a false god! People often think they are being loving when actually they are being possessive or manipulative. People sometimes treat others as objects to satisfy their own needs rather than as persons to be loved and cherished. How easy it is to be deceived by the many voices in our society that advocate a permissive approach to sexuality, without regard for modesty, self-respect or the moral values that bring quality to human relationships! This is worship of a false god. Instead of bringing life, it brings death."

Advent Message from Papa Benedict

VATICAN CITY, NOV. 30, 2009 (Zenit.org).- As the Church begins Advent, Benedict XVI is recalling that it is a season to recall how God comes to visit us.

The Pope said this during a homily at First Vespers on Saturday, with which the Church began Advent and the new liturgical year.

The Holy Father reflected on the etymology of the word "advent" from the Latin adventus. "With the word adventus an attempt was made essentially to say: God is here, he has not withdrawn from the world, he has not left us alone," he explained. "Although we cannot see or touch him, as is the case with tangible realities, he is here and comes to visit us in multiple ways."

The Pontiff added that the expression advent also includes "visitatio, which means simply and properly 'visit."

"In this case," he said, "it is a visit of God: He enters my life and wants to address me."

Taking time
Benedict XVI acknowledged that we all experience "having little time for the Lord and little time for ourselves."

"We end up by being absorbed in 'doing,'" he said. "Is it not true that often activity possesses us, that society with its many interests monopolizes our attention? Is it not true that we dedicate much time to amusements and leisure of different kinds? Sometimes things 'trap' us."

In this scenario, the Holy Father said, Advent "invites us to pause in silence to grasp a presence." He continued: "It is an invitation to understand that every event of the day is a gesture that God directs to us, sign of the care he has for each one of us. How many times God makes us perceive something of his love! To have, so to speak, an 'interior diary' of this love would be a beautiful and salutary task for our life! Advent invites and stimulates us to contemplate the Lord who is present. Should not the certainty of his presence help us to see the world with different eyes? Should it not help us to see our whole existence as a 'visit,' as a way in which he can come to us and be close to us, in each situation?"

Advent is furthermore a time of joy, the Pontiff said. It is "the time of the presence and the expectation of the eternal. Precisely for this reason it is, in a particular way, the time of joy, of an internalized joy, that no suffering can erase. Joy because of the fact that God became a child. This joy, invisibly present in us, encourages us to walk with confidence."

And this joy, he concluded, finds a model and support in the Virgin Mary, "through whom the Child Jesus has been given to us." He prayed: "May she, faithful disciple of her Son, obtain for us the grace to live this liturgical time vigilant and diligent in waiting."

~from zenit.org

Don't try to tell me that Catholics are behind the times!

www.pope2you.net

Just discovered it...How cool is that?

Great Article!

Pope Benedict Tells Youth: Church Counts on You
Urges Them to Be Envoys of God's Love

VATICAN CITY, MARCH 4, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI is encouraging young people to pray and live the sacraments, so as to be witnesses of hope and joy in a world that counts on them.

Recalling the 2008 youth gathering in Sydney, the Pontiff reminded the young people, "I urged you to let yourselves be shaped by [the Holy Spirit] in order to be messengers of divine love, capable of building a future of hope for all humanity."

He added: "Youth is a special time of hope because it looks to the future with a whole range of expectations. When we are young we cherish ideals, dreams and plans. Youth is the time when decisive choices concerning the rest of our lives come to fruition."

We ask ourselves, he noted, "Where can I obtain and how can I keep alive the flame of hope burning in my heart?"

The Holy Father observed, "Experience shows that personal qualities and material goods are not enough to guarantee the hope which the human spirit is constantly seeking."

He said, "If you find your sustenance in Christ, my dear young people, and if you live profoundly in him as did the Apostle Paul, you will not be able to resist speaking about him and making him known and loved by many of your friends and contemporaries."

Benedict XVI emphasized: "The Church depends on you for this demanding mission. Do not be discouraged by the difficulties and trials you encounter."

"Be patient and persevering so as to overcome the natural youthful tendency to rush ahead and to want everything immediately."

He added, "Following in the footsteps of the people of hope -- composed of prophets and saints of every age -- we continue to advance toward the fulfillment of the Kingdom, and on this spiritual path we are accompanied by the Virgin Mary, Mother of Hope."

These are just some excerpts. Read the whole thing here!

HT: Victory Rose for Christ

Advent Day 9: The Immaculate Conception

“What a great gift to have Mary Immaculate as mother! A mother resplendent with beauty, the transparency of God's love. I am thinking of today's young people, who grow up in an environment saturated with messages that propose false models of happiness. These young men and women risk losing hope because they often seem orphans of true love, which fills life with true meaning and joy. This was a theme dear to my Venerable Predecessor John Paul II, who so often proposed Mary to the youth of our time as the ‘Mother of Fair Love’… How sad it is when youth lose the wonder, the enchantment of the most beautiful sentiments, the value of respect for the body, the manifestation of the person and his unfathomable mystery! Mary Immaculate, whom we contemplate in all her beauty and holiness, reminds us of all this.”

~ Pope Benedict XVI
Angelus Address, December 8, 2007

First Sunday of Advent

“Advent is, par excellence, the season of hope.”

~Celebration of Vespers of the First Sunday of Advent
HOMILY OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI
St Peter's Basilica, 1st December 2007

Pope Benedict on Beauty

This caught my eye immediately...a splendid article! Also very reminiscent of the theme of this book (if you haven't yet read it, this is an official recommendation to do so). :)

Vatican City, Nov 25, 2008 / 11:18 am (CNA)- Although the world is immersed in images, it can be empty of beauty, Pope Benedict said today in a message he sent to the Pontifical Academy of Fine Arts and Literature as it explores the relationship between aesthetics and ethics.

Archbishop Gianfranco Ravasi, president of the Pontifical Council for Culture, is hosting a public event with the theme—"The universality of beauty: a comparison between aesthetics and ethics," and to contribute to the discussion, Pope Benedict has sent the archbishop a message.

The topic chosen by the academy reminds us of the "urgent need for a renewed dialogue between aesthetics and ethics, between beauty, truth and goodness," the Pope writes.

This need to reconnect beauty with truth and goodness is not just limited to the "contemporary cultural and artistic debate," but extends to daily reality, the Holy Father argues.

Today we can see "a dramatically-evident split" between the pursuit of external beauty and the idea of a beauty that is rooted in truth and goodness. Oftentimes, society only understands the search for beauty as an "exterior form, as an appearance to be pursued at all costs," he explains.

"Indeed," the Pope writes, "searching for a beauty that is foreign to or separate from the human search for truth and goodness would become (as unfortunately happens) mere asceticism and, especially for the very young, a path leading to ephemeral values and to banal and superficial appearances, even a flight into an artificial paradise that masks inner emptiness."

Pope Benedict also calls on contemporary reasoning to rediscover the link between beauty, truth and goodness. "And if such a commitment applies to everyone," the Pope asserts, "it applies even more to believers, to the disciples of Christ, who are called by the Lord to 'give reasons' for all the beauty and truth of their faith."

When Christians create works that "render glory unto the Father," the Pope continues, they speak of the "goodness and profound truth" that they are portraying, as well as the integrity and sanctity of the artist or author. To this end, Benedict XVI encourages believers to learn how to "communicate with the language of images and symbols ... in order effectively to reach our contemporaries."

The Holy Father also mentions how at the Synod on the Bible the bishops noted that knowing how to "read and scrutinize the beauty of works of art inspired by the faith" can lead Christians to discover a "unique path that brings us close to God and His Word."

Finally, Pope Benedict cites John Paul II's Letter to Artists, "which invites us, to reflect upon ... the fruitful dialogue between Holy Scripture and various forms of art, whence countless masterpieces have emerged." His message closes by appealing to academics and artists "to arouse wonder at and desire for beauty, to form people's sensitivity and to nourish a passion for everything that is a genuine expression of human genius and a reflection of divine beauty."


How I love that final quote! My heart leaps to respond to his call "to arouse wonder at and desire for beauty". I believe that each of us are called, in our individual vocations, to contribute to this noble effort. What will you do today to manifest a reflection of divine beauty to the world?

HT: Catholic Fire

American Papist

Election Countdown/40 Days for Life: Day 12

My evening spiritual reading is Pope Benedict's Jesus of Nazareth, which I'm finding to be both beautiful and deep. I take it in small bits at a time, to better absorb its richness. Last night, this quote caught my eye:

"Constructing a world by our own lights, without reference to God, building on our own foundation; refusing to acknowledge the reality of anything beyond the political and material, while setting God aside as an illusion— that is the temptation that treatens us in many varied forms. "

Indeed, "constructing a world by our own lights", "building on our own foundation", "refusing to acknowledge the reality beyond the political and material", and the "setting aside" of the King of the Universe seem to be all too prevelant themes within government and politics. Let us pray and sacrifice for the intention of true leaders who will...

...contruct a world by the Divine Light, unashamed to reference God,
...build not upon unstable human foundations, but the only One that is secure,
...acknowledge and respect the vivid reality beyond the political and material,
...set Truth — the person of Christ — in the center.

Today's Life Devotional is themed on humility...and healing. I would say the above quote is indication that we desperately need both!

A Little Girl Again

We took a family "rosary-walk" tonight at dusk — such a tranquil time. All was still. The inky silhouettes of the trees lay against the smooth indigo sky.

Dad likes to for us all to stay near each other as we pray the rosary, so he has us walk in two lines of three, holding hands. For a time, I ended up between Mom and Dad. It's been a long time since I've had one of my hands in each of theirs. It was comforting and secure...for a bit I felt like a small girl again.

I am infinitely blessed with parents who are selfless, wise, and so present. Any gifts and strengths that have been cultivated in me have been largely from their loving training. From the haven of a home filled with Faith and growing in love by the grace of God working through and despite our human struggles.

This kind of home is recognized by many, including our Holy Fathers, as crucial to the growth and health of society.

“Many people ask: why are families so important? Why does the Church so insist on the topic of marriage and the family? The reason is simple, even if not everyone can understand it: the future of the human person, his happiness, his capacity for giving life meaning all depend on the family… As the family goes, so goes the world.” (John Paul II)

“The family is a kind of school of deeper humanity. But if it is to achieve the full flowering of its life and mission, it needs the kindly communion of minds and the joint deliberation of spouses, as well as the painstaking cooperation of parents in the education of their children.” (Gaudium et Spies: The Church in the Modern World)

“Today, if they are to give a truly human face to society, no people can ignore the precious good of the family, founded on marriage.” (Benedict XVI)

Let us pray for the healing of the family. For the restoration of homes where prayer, work, play, and service foster the kind of unity that in turn, strengthens all of society!

Neat!

I haven't gotten into the whole texting thing myself, but thought this was pretty neat!

Catholic Online:

Last week, the Catholic Church contributed once again to a
bit of history. Benedict XVI became the first Pope to utilize
the technology of SMS texting services to broadcast a papal message.

What makes this really quite extraordinary is the
instantaneous nature of this type of communication. Benedict texts and
potentially faithful Catholics can read and respond to his words in seconds.

That really lends a new interpretation to the Gospel
mandate to, proclaim the Good News to all nations. Beyond the initial novelty
aspect of this mode of communications, is the underlying importance of utilizing
technologies for mass communications to teach and evangelize truthfully through
technologies that are bringing the planet closer together.

Read the whole article here.

Lenten Message 2008 from Pope Benedict

"Dear Brothers and Sisters!

Each year, Lent offers us a providential opportunity to deepen the meaning and value of our Christian lives, and it stimulates us to rediscover the mercy of God so that we, in turn, become more merciful toward our brothers and sisters. In the Lenten period, the Church makes it her duty to propose some specific tasks that accompany the faithful concretely in this process of interior renewal: these are prayer, fasting and almsgiving."

"...Dear brothers and sisters, Lent invites us to “train ourselves” spiritually, also through the practice of almsgiving, in order to grow in charity and recognize in the poor Christ Himself. In the Acts of the Apostles, we read that the Apostle Peter said to the cripple who was begging alms at the Temple gate: “I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, walk” (Acts 3,6). In giving alms, we offer something material, a sign of the greater gift that we can impart to others through the announcement and witness of Christ, in whose name is found true life. Let this time, then, be marked by a personal and community effort of attachment to Christ in order that we may be witnesses of His love. May Mary, Mother and faithful Servant of the Lord, help believers to enter the “spiritual battle” of Lent, armed with prayer, fasting and the practice of almsgiving, so as to arrive at the celebration of the Easter Feasts, renewed in spirit. With these wishes, I willingly impart to all my Apostolic Blessing."

Read the whole thing here.

Cool!

Pope Benedict's visiting the US in April!

From usccb.org:

Pope Benedict XVI to visit the United States April 15-20, 2008

The Holy Father will arrive in Washington on the evening of April 15, with a visit to the White House on April 16 and a meeting with the bishops of the United States at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception that evening. April 17 will include a public Mass at the new Nationals Stadium in Washington and a meeting with the presidents of Catholic universities and diocesan heads of education at Catholic University of America, as well as a meeting with representatives of other religions at the John Paul II Cultural Center. Pope Benedict XVI will fly to New York City on April 18 for an address to the United Nations. He will also meet with ecumenical leaders at a New York City parish that evening. On April 19 he will celebrate a Mass for priests, deacons and members of religious orders at St. Patrick’s Cathedral and will meet with young Catholics at St. Joseph Seminary in Yonkers. April 20 will include a visit to ground zero, the site of the twin towers of the World Trade Center, and a public Mass at Yankee Stadium.

This Weekend's Focus

I seem to be doing plenty of public speaking lately! And I think today was the first time I've had the privilege of being at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass four times in one day. :) As the new DRE of our parish, I spoke and took registrations at each of the Masses this weekend. Since this new position is going to receive a lot of my time, energy, and focus this year, I thought it would be fitting to share my speech text. Not that I want to burden you with too many of these...

Anyway, if you would, please keep my role and our program in your prayers. Thanks!!

Good morning! As Father mentioned, I am Claire Halbur, and I am delighted to be your new Director of Religious Education here at St. Joseph’s. The past two years, I have been privileged to work with our Religious Ed Program here as a teacher and assistant to our former Director. It is fitting and Providential that I am now able to move into the role of Director for 2007-2008. I have been able to get to know many beautiful families here the last two years, and the Lord has placed a special mission on my heart to serve the families of our parish in this way.

I am convinced that this work of Religious Education – specifically, forming our children in the Faith - is a very important one in the Church today. Our children and young people are growing up faced with bigger challenges and bigger temptations than any generation before. The Truths of our Catholic Faith are their weapon for living a life of happiness, of fulfillment, and of peace – both here, and forever in Heaven. Parents: you want happiness, fulfillment, and peace for your children, don’t you? The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us that “parents receive the responsibility and privilege of evangelizing their children”. This means that teaching the Faith to your children is ultimately your job. I beg you, take seriously your right and duty to raise up your children in the Faith.

We are here at St. Joseph’s to assist you in this task. The Catechism tells us that “The parish is the Eucharistic community and the heart of the liturgical life of Christian families; it is a privileged place for the catechesis of children and parents”. We do this through the Catholic Education offered here at our school, and for those children of our parish who attend Public School, through our Religious Ed program for grades 1 through 8. I must mention that the Diocese requires a minimum of two consecutive years of Religious Education classes in preparation for First Holy Communion or Confirmation. However, it is very important that your child receive the full 8 years of classes for their formation to be as complete as possible, and for them to be well-equipped to face the challenges of young adulthood in today’s society.

We have a great volunteer staff of Religious Ed teachers and assistants who love the Lord, love His Church, and love His children. The books we use are a wonderful, family-centered curriculum, and have been endorsed by primary Church leaders, including Mother Teresa, Pope John Paul II, and Cardinal Ratzinger – now Pope Benedict XVI. In addition, many unique and wonderful activities are part of our program here: monthly family nights, monthly RE Masses in which the children get to specially participate, and a beautiful Christmas play that involves every student in the program. We are focused on giving your children the riches and traditions of our Faith, in all their fullness and beauty. Students of our program learn about the Church year and learn many beautiful Catholic devotions such as the Holy Rosary, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, and Benediction.

In the Gospel today, our Lord said: “I have come to set the earth on fire.” That is exactly what we are trying to do here – set your children’s hearts on fire with love: a love that will transform their lives. We are here to help you raise your children to be saints.

We are taking registrations after all the Masses this weekend in the back of Church. I encourage you to stop by our table after Mass to register, or to pick up information for yourself or for a friend. And those of you who are grandparents in the congregation: are your grandchildren being brought up in the Faith? Take a registration packet for them!

I look forward to meeting many of you. Thank you for your time, please keep me in your prayers, and know that you remain in mine. God bless you.

From Papa for Easter

“My Lord and my God!” We too renew that profession of faith of Thomas. I have chosen these words for my Easter greetings this year, because humanity today expects from Christians a renewed witness to the resurrection of Christ; it needs to encounter him and to know him as true God and true man. If we can recognize in this apostle the doubts and uncertainties of so many Christians today, the fears and disappointments of many of our contemporaries, with him we can also rediscover with renewed conviction, faith in Christ dead and risen for us. This faith, handed down through the centuries by the successors of the Apostles, continues on because the risen Lord dies no more. He lives in the church and guides it firmly towards the fulfillment of his eternal design of salvation.

- From Pope Benedict's Easter Sunday Address

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Lenten Message from Papa

"Lent is a favourable time to learn to stay with Mary and John, the beloved disciple, close to Him who on the Cross, consummated for all mankind the sacrifice of His life (cf. Jn 19:25). With a more fervent participation let us direct our gaze, therefore, in this time of penance and prayer, at Christ crucified who, dying on Calvary, revealed fully for us the love of God...

It is in the mystery of the Cross that the overwhelming power of the heavenly Father’s mercy is revealed in all of its fullness."

Read the rest here.

Holy Ash Wednesday!

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Best Catholic News Bytes of Today

- Pope Benedict gives theme of this year's World Youth Day (to be celebrated in all respective dioceses -- not to be confused with World Youth Day 2008 in Sydney)

- Papa encourages the youth to believe in true love!

- And he reminds us of the sanctity of marriage.

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